Aksa Doğalgaz Achieves a Sector First

Aksa Doğalgaz set a new industry milestone in Turkey and internationally by completing 6,000 kilometers of network infrastructure last year. Aksa Doğalgaz is improving quality of life for citizens across all distribution regions, contributing to the protection of clean air and the development of the country's economy. Yaşar Arslan, Chairman of the Board of Aksa Doğalgaz, expressed in the statement that they take pride in investments befitting the Republic on its 100th anniversary, stating: 'We reliably deliver natural gas, a comfortable and environmentally-friendly fuel, to our citizens through the steel networks we have meticulously woven across every corner of our country, bringing the people of our regions together under a cleaner sky.' Aksa Doğalgaz, Turkey's largest private natural gas distribution company, serves 5 million subscribers across 27 provincial capitals, 297 districts and towns with approximately 45,000 kilometers of network. In a single year, the company completed an investment of 6,000 kilometers of pipeline, marking a first for the sector both in Turkey and internationally.

Stating that they have written an important success story since their establishment in 2002 as a subsidiary of Kazancı Holding, Arslan noted the following:

'On the occasion of our Republic's 100th anniversary, we have embarked on a meaningful initiative that sets a benchmark for our sector, saying "We will continue to succeed." With the 6,000 kilometers of pipeline we built in just one year, our network length has nearly reached 45,000 kilometers, and the number of districts and towns we serve has grown from 260 to 297. Including 51 central districts across the country, we are present in 297 of the nation's 973 districts with our warmth and energy. We reliably deliver natural gas, a comfortable and environmentally-friendly fuel, to our citizens through the steel networks we have meticulously woven across every corner of our country, bringing the people of our regions together under a cleaner sky. The increasing savings we provide to the country's economy and the direct and indirect employment we create year after year fills our organization with pride. With 175 offices serving our distribution regions and more than 4,000 personnel, touching nearly every aspect of life and turning our dreams into reality enhances our motivation.'

We have established international collaborations

Arslan noted that high customer satisfaction, respect for people, nature and social life are positioned at the center of their operations, adding: 'The earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş that occurred on February 6 made 2023 a deeply moving and difficult year for all of us. In the face of this natural disaster, known as the catastrophe of the century and affecting all seven cities to which we supply gas as well as one district outside these provinces, we overcame difficulties as a nation while sharing our grief. Throughout this entire process, we tirelessly carried out the work we do best, always mindful of our responsibility to ensure life could proceed in its normal course.' Noting that they have agreed with Pacific Gas and Electric Company to conduct joint work on disaster management, earthquake risk assessment and ensuring continuous natural gas supply security to provide safer and uninterrupted service to subscribers under all circumstances, Arslan stated that discussions with Japan Gas Company are ongoing in this regard, and they plan to finalize an agreement with GRDF, France's largest natural gas distribution company, in the near future.

Research and development work increasing

Arslan emphasized that as Aksa Doğalgaz, they believe in the importance of alternative fuels and energy sources in combating the effects of climate change and are intensifying their research and development efforts in this area. Commenting on the research and development work they are conducting in this context, Arslan stated: 'In parallel with Europe, through the Gazbir-Gazmer framework and in collaboration with Yıldız Technical University, we have successfully completed a process of blending hydrogen at a rate of 20 percent into natural gas within our Renewable Gas Production Research and Development project, which aims to increase the use of zero-emission hydrogen and diversify Turkey's energy supply security. We have also successfully completed another research and development study in which we technically examined the economic sustainability and energy efficiency impacts of gas obtained as a result of blending biomethane derived from organic waste with natural gas through work conducted with GAZMER.'

Emphasizing that delivering nature-friendly and economical energy natural gas to all subscribers with high customer satisfaction, continuously and securely, is among their most important priorities, Arslan concluded his statement as follows:

'The most important reflection of this principle is our recognition with the Consumer Satisfaction-Oriented Company Award at the Consumer Awards organized for the 26th time by the Ministry of Commerce. On the other hand, in the Fortune 500 'Turkey's Largest Companies' list, we ranked 39th this year, rising 25 positions from the previous year. Following this achievement, we received the Low Carbon Hero Award at the 8th Istanbul Carbon Summit, organized by the Sustainable Production and Consumption Association with the main support of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and Istanbul Technical University. Thus, by receiving this award for the fourth consecutive time, we have set yet another milestone in our sector.' Source